1991 Collings AT-17 Acoustic Archtop Guitar – Used

This Collings AT-17 is one of the nicest acoustic archtop guitars Gryphon has ever had, in terms of tone, appearance, and playability. While Collings made a number of AT-16 models, their version of a late ’20s Gibson 16-inch L-5, they never built many of the 17-inch archtops. The reason is that the larger 17″ versions were pretty much built by Bill Collings himself and he never had the time to make than one every year or so.

This is example was signed and dated on the back by Bill and was carfted before Collings put paper labels in this model. But if this archtop is the same size, and shape, as a Gibson 17-inch L-5C, why does it sound so different? Besides the careful graduation of both the top and back, the answer is probably the X bracing of the top. Yes, Gibson also X-braced L-5s for several years, but not like this! The braces are about as delicate as what you’d find in an early 00 size Martin.

This is a do-anything archtop. You can play fingerstyle chord melodies, you can use a heavy pick and drive a band with chop chords, or you can use it to back up a vocalist singing folk songs. Perhaps the only negative thing we can say about it is that while a guitar like this makes you sound great, and inspires you to practice, it also doesn’t leave the player any place to hide. It’s in excellent structural condition and there are no signs of any changes or repairs, but if you look carefully you can see a handful of minor nicks, scuffs and dings from use. We sold this guitar new in 1991 and the previous owner did gig with it from time to time and while he was careful he didn’t coddle it. Includes the original hardshell case.